(NWPR-OH) – More than 150 objects spanning 3,000 years of history, “The Egypt Experience: Secrets of the Tomb” is on temporary view at the Toledo Museum of Art, in a specially designed Lower Level Egyptian Gallery.
Tombs were built as places for living after death with the aid of ritual prayers, food and drink, and all the good things of life. The exhibit introduces visitors to the conversations between the living and the dead that formed a fundamental part of life in Egypt for thousands of years. Specially built chapels and tomb-like spaces display artifacts from the funeral ceremonies and final resting places of both royal and non-royal Egyptians.
On hand are a series of individual Egyptians, offering a learning experience about them from the evidence of their tombs, mummies, inscribed biographies and personal possessions. Among them are: court official Akhet-hotep, overseer of the palace of King Sneuferu; Raramu, priest of the mortuary cult of King Khufu, and his wife Ankhet; Zezen-nakht, hereditary prince and overseer of the army of the Nineth Nome; the royal physician Amunhotep, chief physician and royal scribe of King Rameses II; Henut-wedjebu, singer in the temple of Amun, and her husband Hatiay, granary overseer of the temple of Aten; and Tamesia, daughter of Tashenanoup, who was buried by her mother.
Also are the Museum’s two mummies, along with results of forensic and radiological studies that reveal much about the appearance, ages, gender, lifestyles and deaths of the young priest and the old man. In addition, elegantly carved and painted sculptures, the coffin of the lady Ankh-Tesh, a boat model, canopic jars, shabtis, and beautiful yet heart-rending grave gifts are displayed in the dramatic series of galleries.
For general information, call 419.255.8000 or 800.644.6862, or see www.toledomuseum.org.